Kenya: Suspected Al-Shabaab attack in Garissa November 10

Event

Suspected Al-Shabaab militants ambushed the vehicle of a local NGO traveling on the Ijara-Masalani road (Garissa county) on Saturday, November 10. According to local reports, the vehicle hit an improvised explosives device (IED) before militants opened fire on the disabled vehicle. One person was injured in the attack. An investigation is ongoing. Further attacks by Al-Shabaab are possible in the area in the coming days and weeks.

Context

Al-Shabaab regularly carries out attacks near the porous border with Somalia as well as coastal areas. Kenya has been part of a multi-national force to fight Al-Shabaab in Somalia since 2011.

Advice

Due to various security concerns, many Western governments advise against travel to a number of regions in the country, including parts of Garissa county as well as other areas bordering Somalia (parts of Mandera, Wajir, and Lamu counties), Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Nonessential travel to the city of Mombasa and several Nairobi neighborhoods (including Eastleigh and Pangani) is also advised against.